A Cheann Comhairle——
Order of Business.
Perhaps the Deputy would raise the matter with me when the Order of Business has been disposed of.
You disqualified the private notice question that I had tabled to the Minister for Agriculture and Food. May I ask the Minister if he would make a statement to the House today and tell us how he will compensate sheep farmers in respect of the £30 million cut——
I am sorry, Deputy Deasy, but the time has come to hear the Order of Business from the Taoiseach.
Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?
Deputy Deasy must desist.
The Minister is laughing at the idea.
Deputy Deasy and all Deputies here have ample ways and means of raising this matter. The Taoiseach.
I have no other way of raising it for two weeks.
It is proposed to take Nos. 10 and 11. It is also proposed that business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. tonight. It is further proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Minister or a Minister of State at the Department of the Environment shall be called upon not later than 6.25 p.m. to reply to the debate on the Second Stage of No. 10 and that the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 6.45 p.m. Private Members' Business shall be No. 31, motion No. 40 on the supplementary Order Paper circulated earlier today.
I must now ask the House if it is agreed that business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. tonight. Is that satisfactory? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 10 agreed? Agreed.
May I ask the Taoiseach in respect of the period of the summer recess, however short or long that may be, if he would agree that some items on the Government's legislative programme which will not be dealt with finally in the House should be dealt with during the summer recess by special committees of this House and if he would review the legislative programme with that in mind between now and the date of the recess? Would he further agree that it would be useful if the committees which have meetings planned for the summer recess published a schedule of those meetings in advance so that there would be a clear work programme of legislative and other parliamentary action right throughout the year?
Regarding the first part of the Deputy's question that is a matter which can be discussed with the Whips, regarding the second part of the question, in the past a schedule of the business to be done by committees during the recess has been published. We would encourage this.
I am sure the Taoiseach is aware of the disastrous consequences any downturn in employment at Waterford Glass would have and the horrific consequences for the economy if anything were to happen there. May I ask him if he and the Government have any plans either to meet with the Waterford Glass Board or to seek meetings at the highest level possible to ensure that there will be no diminution in the workforce?
Deputy Spring knows quite well that the matter to which he adverts is not relevant to the Order of Business.
There are 2,500 jobs at stake.
That may be so but there are other ways of dealing with this matter. I call Deputy Proinsias De Rossa.
With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I am seeking your guidance There are 2,500 jobs at stake in Water ford and the south-east. This calls for a clear signal from the Government.
I am sorry, Deputy Spring, but I cannot facilitate you in raising the matter now; it would be inappropriate.
The Taoiseach should offer.
Has the Taoiseach met the board of Waterford Glass?
May I ask the Taoiseach if he would indicate what the legislative programme is for the remaining weeks of this session and if he would publish an audit of the progress which has been made to date on the revised Programme for Government which was concluded late last year?
The legislative programme for the remainder of this session will be discussed at the Whips' meeting on Thursday.
In relation to that matter, would the Taoiseach indicate if it is the Government's intention to complete the Roads Authority Bill between now and the end of the session?
If possible, yes, with the co-operation of all the Members of the House, I am sure it will be possible.
It is the Taoiseach's intention to give it priority? For example, it was the Taoiseach's decision not to put it on the Order Paper this week.
The Taoiseach hardly thinks we will get through 200 amendments in one day?
The Deputy appreciates fully that it is the Whips who agree on what the Order of Business should be. We did not force the issue one way or the other with the Whips this week but it is our desire that the Bill in question will be completed this session. We hope we can achieve this.
Would the Taoiseach confirm that it is his intention to move a motion in the House to establish a new committee headed by the Tánaiste to oversee the selection of the Irish Olympic team and would he indicate when the motion will be moved?
He is out of his depth.
John will fix it; he will try anything. He is trying to get fellows on the Cavan team.
We appreciate Deputy Shatter's intervention on the basis of comic relief——
It is your man's intervention.
——but it is not in order. Deputy Spring.
He will try to get people onto the Dublin team next.
I appreciate, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, that you are giving me a sporting chance but I thought we might get something voluntarily from the benches opposite.
(Interruptions.)
The Tánaiste seems to be proud of his intervention rather than ashamed of it.
This has been going on for years.
May I ask the Taoiseach if there are any plans for the President to address the Houses of the Oireachtas?
I do not think, Deputy, that that is in order.
Why not?
There is a special tradition here that has been honoured since the Constitution was adopted, that is, that we do not have any reference to the President that would lead to the President or the Office being involved in anything of the political nature which pertains in this House.
We broke all traditions two years ago.
I am upholding that tradition and if it is the intention to have it changed and the Chair is so instructed, the Chair will so act but meanwhile the Chair will act in accordance with the best tradition that obtains.
Perhaps, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, you have noticed that some changes have taken place in recent years.
I am concerned——
You did not like them.
Tempora mutanter, I appreciate that and I am happy to be associated with anything that is legitimised in respect of change.
Tempus fugit as well.
When change occurs I will implement it.
May I say to you, Sir, with respect that I am not breaching any precedent in asking for information in relation to the business of this House?
In that the business pertains to the office of the President the Deputy will accept that he would be establishing a precedent.
May I ask the Taoiseach whether he intends to invite an office-holder in this country to address the Houses of the Oireachtas?
What the Deputy may ask the Taoiseach privately would be entirely a matter for himself and the Taoiseach. What I am concerned about is——
I have no desire——
Deputy Howlin need not indulge in this eternal shaking of the head in response to what I am saying.
I can if I wish; it is still a free country.
In so far as it would be asserting——
The Chair does not want to see Deputy Howlin disagreeing with his Leader.
(Interruptions.)
I think it is time for a recess.
I am merely concerned that the head would remain in place.
In the interests of order might I suggest to the Taoiseach that what I have suggested would be a very good idea.
The Chair will not make any comment on that.
Having been taken by the slogan I saw on the few Fianna Fáil posters that were displayed during the Maastricht Treaty referendum campaign, advocating us all to play our part would the Taoiseach say when the Government intend to play their part in Europe by responding to the judgment of the European Court and when legislation will be introduced on the Norris case judgment which has been due for more than two years now?
If it is under that title I am not too sure it is ordered. Perhaps there is another title under which the legislation mentioned has been promised.
I have dealt with this subject on a number of occasions. At the risk of being repetitious I can say it will not be dealt with this session.
This session or the next one?
As I said, it is most unlikely that priority legislation emanating from the Department of Justice for the next session will be able to accommodate the legislation referred to.
What about the Government playing their part?
If the Taoiseach has not already met the board of Waterford Glass, would he say whether he would do so immediately?
That is not in order.
Would the Taoiseach tell us because——
Deputy Deasy is not in order in asking that question on the Order of Business.
There are 2,500 jobs at stake.
Deputy Deasy knows, as well as everybody else, that the question he is asking is not in order on the Order of Business.
It is very important.
Of course it is very important; the Chair does not deny that.
Would the Taoiseach, or the Minister for Industry and Commerce, please inform the House what they will do about it? I note my question is greeted with silence.
Would the Taoiseach say when it is likely that the legal format of the Common Agricultural Policy reform agreement will be available? Will he say whether it will be put before the House so that we can discuss it and, perhaps, assess the extent to which the wool has been pulled over everybody's eyes?
I have two brief questions to put to the Taoiseach. Will he agree that the allocation of three hours of the precious time of this House to the affairs of the Olympic Council of Ireland is a gross waste of the time of this House? Since there is much talk about special committees of the House to deal with Bills, would the Taoiseach agree that the time has come to open these committees to any Member who wishes to participate for whatever length of time is available? I predict the Taoiseach will not find too many taking up the offer but I am excluded from such participation in the normal course of events.
Obviously, the Deputy does not want the Tánaiste to have to make selections for the Olympics.
He who runs may read.
(Interruptions.)
It is Private Members' time and a Private Member can do what he likes in that time.
Can the Taoiseach indicate when he expects the Cabinet subcommittee to report in relation to the Supreme Court judgment in the X case and when he expects the legislation promised with regard to travel and information will be brought before the House?
The commitment given in the statement of the four party leaders will be honoured within the timescale set out.
Would the Taoiseach say when the Health (Family Planning) Bill will be introduced in this House and whether it will be enacted before the end of this session?
It will be brought into the House as soon as possible, as soon as it is ready.
This session?
As soon as possible.
Will it be in this session?
If it is possible, yes and, if not, in the next session.
May I seek clarity: will the Health (Family Planning) Bill be reintroduced by the Government in this House in this session?
As soon as possible, was the reply. If that is possible in this session, yes and, if not, in another session.
That is open Government.
It is as open as I can make it at present.
It is all to do with political planning, not family planning.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the majority of our citizens are amazed, confused, indeed feel slighted, that an 82-year old has been appointed as United States Ambassador to Ireland?
He will not get on to the Olympic team. The Tánaiste will not be making representations on his behalf.
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach's agreement or otherwise would not render that question in order.
The Taoiseach, in replying to my question, indicated that the legislation with regard to travel and information would be introduced within the timescale outlined in the statement of the four party leaders. I take it he is referring to the expectation that it will be implemented in the autumn? Will he say when that legislation may be circulated?
Deputy De Rossa, when the Taoiseach replies and gives an indication——
The Taoiseach was offering.
Deputy McCartan, the Chair speaks for itself and does not respond to the Taoiseach or to Deputy McCartan. Would the Deputy please accept that? When the Taoiseach replies, it is not in order to cross-examine him on the answer he has given.
What I was seeking was clarification of what precisely was meant by the timescale referred to by the Taoiseach. If he could explain that I would be quite satisfied. It is a reasonable request.
I am not too sure that the Taoiseach, having given his answer, has to——
At least he might reply.
If the Taoiseach has given his answer, the Chair accepts that. If the Taoiseach is disposed to clarification, the Chair does not object.
I thought by now that Deputy De Rossa would have read the statement of the four party leaders at least once, and he would not now be asking the silly question he is asking.
The Taoiseach might be a little more courteous and respond to my simple question as to when he intends to circulate the legislation in relation to travel and information, which has been much promised and which is important to at least half of the population of this country?
Deputies
Hear, hear.
Within the timescale stated in the statement of the four party leaders which was widely circulated, put on the record of this House and received widespread media coverage.
Would the Taoiseach say what will be the final date for the enactment of legislation by both Houses to provide for such decision to be taken by the electorate in a referendum in November next?
The Constitution lays down that it should be between 30 and 90 days after the passage of legislation through the Houses; a minimum of 30 days and maximum of 90.
Is it not the case, therefore, that this legislation must have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before the end of October?
That would be about the timetable required; 30 days thereafter would take one to the end of November. It would be desirable that it be around that time.
Would the Taoiseach be satisfied that the House would have a month to discuss this legislation, or is it legislation that would be subjected to a time limit?
I hope we can find agreement among all the parties when this legislation arises for proper debate in this House and in the Seanad.
I know we are back after a week's holidays but can we agree now that that is that?
(Interruptions.)
There was one party only working on the ground despite the artificial article by Deputy FitzGerald.
I ask again: could we agree, now that we have had a week's holiday from this type of operation, that it is time we got back to business?
I hope there is no connection between the Chair's reference to holidays and the relatively disappointing result in Dublin North-West.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Flaherty is well able to look after that.
Deputy Bruton, you will allow me a reply.
I am teasing you.
If I did not have such respect for the Chair I might do a little more than tease you.
Thank you. I wish to thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for dealing with this matter with his customary good humour. Let me ask the Taoiseach a separate question. He has promised National Heritage Council and national monuments legislation. Does he expect that legislation to be published during the recess? In view of the fact that it is legislation that would be very suited to a special committee is it possible that it will be published before the recess so that some of the committee work on it might be done during the recess?
The preparation of the Heritage Council Bill is at an early stage. The text of the National Monuments Bill has been agreed and we will expedite it as soon as possible.
In the context of the Whips' meeting that will take place this coming Thursday, could the Taoiseach, through the Whips and on behalf of the Government, propose that a slightly more extensive format be arranged for next week, after the Lisbon Summit, to enable us to get a proper understanding and briefing of what transpires at that Summit? I have in mind a format which would also involve some form of question and answer similar to what is now occurring in relation to the Estimates which has proven to be very satisfactory from all points of view?
The Whips will be able to deliberate on this matter on Thursday.
Will the Taoiseach make a recommendation?
Yes.